Improvement in stamp-cancelling device



quae/m IMPROVEMENT 'nv STAMP-CANGELLING DEVICE.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all 'whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, J. C. GASTON, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp- Gancellers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a. full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, like letters indicating like parts whereever they occur.

To enable others skilled in the art to construct and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

My invention relates to devices for cancelling stamps; and y It consists in a blade, or similar' device, having a series of points for perforating the stamp, and having an adjustable guard for regulating the depth of the perforations, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, and

Figure 2 is an end or face view.

In cancelling postage and similar stamps, it is desirable to accomplish the object by cutting, perforating, or scarifying the stamp, so as to prevent it from being used a second time, but hitherto it has been difficult or impossible to accomplish this object, without, at the same time, cutting through the letter, and injuring its contents.

To 'accomplish this object, I provide a tool, or handle,

A, of any suitable size and form, and secure in its lower end a blade, B, having its edge formed into a series of points, as represented in iig. 1.

Upon this handle A, I place a ferrule, C, havinga screw-thread cut on its exterior, and over this I place another ferrule, or ring, D, having a screw-thread on its interior.

When thus arranged, it will be seen that the outer ring, D, can be raised or lowered at will, and that by this means, the extent to which the points protrude below the face of the ring-D can be regulated or adjusted at will, and that'thus the points may be so set or adj usted as to cut through, or perforate the stamp, Without penetrating the contents of' theletter or envelope.

It is obviousthat the perforating points may-be arranged to'representletters, as foriustance, U.S., when used for government purposes, or with the initials of the owner, if a private individual.

Having thus described my invention,

A stamp-canceller, consisting of a perforating blade, A, with the adjustable ring D, for regulating the depth of the cut or perforations, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described.

J. OQ GASTON.

Witnesses:

W. O. DODGE, P. T. DODGE. 

